James Franco goes from movies to soap to 30 Rock

Wouldn't you love to know who's giving actor James Franco career advice these days? I'm not knocking him or her, but I'd love to figure out the strategy. Or maybe this is just Franco being Franco (like Manny being Manny, for you baseball fans out there)?

How's that for a career trajectory -- from box office bonanza (Spider-Man) to Oscar feature (Milk) to daytime soap (General Hospital) to Emmy-winning sitcom (30 Rock). He's like a human pinball machine looking for a perfect score!

No, seriously, I think this is great. I hope he's doing what he feels like doing and not taking anybody's advice. Appearing on GH will bring him a whole different audience, and say what you will about soaps, daytime fans are loyal and remember every star who's ever been on their show.

Appearing on 30 Rock is also a wise move. He'll reportedly be playing himself in a publicity only romance with Jenna. It's something their public relations people think up to promote their careers. This was a Tina Fey idea, something she blabbed about at the Emmys.

Speaking of the Emmys, just about everybody who guests on 30 Rock is assured a nomination, so maybe JF is angling for some Emmy love?

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13 Comments

James Franco is the closest thing to James Dean of anyone in the movies now or ever. I will love seeing him on GH. Ive been a fan of that soap for many many years. Now Im anxious to see who and what character hs is going to play.

I like James Franco - and he is at that unfortunate age when there aren't that many great movie parts around because you're not young enough for some, and not considered mature enough for others, and also the movie industry is struggling a bit right now. So I think James is smart to take work wherever it is offered because staying in the public eye is important for longevity as an actor, and even though I don't watch soaps myself, I still know that MacGyver star and also Stargate star Richard Dean Anderson, got his start in soaps. Keep working hard James - one day you will be the go-to guy for lead actor in movies!

Just for the record, General Hospital has won more Emmys than 30 Rock. I think it is great that an A Lister is willing to "dummy it down" and appear on a show that has more history than he does. The people that work in the daytime TV industry are the hardest working people on the planet and deserve far more respect than is often given to them.

Allison I love how condescending you are. First you thumb your nose at soaps, then try to backpedal, with your: "...say what you will about soaps" yada. ABC's venerable, 46-yr old GENERAL HOSPITAL doesn't need you or anyone else validating or issuing a free pass to Franco for appearing. GH has one of the healthiest viewer demos in daytime. Franco and his agent are no fools.

I applaude Franco's move. What is the best way to get notice; on a soap. He get the exposure and we the fan get to see and remember him. I thing most of the so call "A" listers feel they are to good to do television and because you don't see them that much you forget about them. I feel that there is some very talented actors on soaps and I would watch them over a so call star any day. I love Franco as an actor and I love General Hostipal; so when I heard the news I was very happy and think it's a smart move on his part in regard to his career.

Go Franco! I love it when an actor or actress takes on whatever role that suits their fancy. He is very talented and respectful of his role as an artist so these roles should not hinder his creditability in the future.

Hahahaha, your Manny being Manny comment was like one of those nuggets that Dennis Miller used to deliver. I got it.

I, too, was scratching my head over the GH announcement, but I give James Franco all the credit for working and doing really interesting things. I do hope he's just having fun and enjoying the opportunities presented to him. Who wouldn't want to do a guest shot on 30 Rock??